Under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the plaintiffs must defend against the counterclaims,​ starting with a 21-day deadline to file their own Answer, followed by another 21 days for the defense to respond.(([[https://​www.law.cornell.edu/​rules/​frcp/​rule_12|"​Rule 12. Defenses and Objections: When and How Presented; Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings; Consolidating Motions; Waiving Defenses; Pretrial Hearing,"​]] Legal Information Institute, Cornell School of Law, retrieved 5/24/16.)) The defendants'​ move had the effect of preventing the plaintiffs from simply withdrawing the suit.

+

Under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the plaintiffs must defend against the counterclaims,​ starting with a 21-day deadline to file their own Answer.(([[https://​www.law.cornell.edu/​rules/​frcp/​rule_12|"​Rule 12. Defenses and Objections: When and How Presented; Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings; Consolidating Motions; Waiving Defenses; Pretrial Hearing,"​]] Legal Information Institute, Cornell School of Law, retrieved 5/24/16.)) The defendants'​ move had the effect of preventing the plaintiffs from simply withdrawing the suit.

A prepared statement on behalf of Axanar Productions stated the defendants had to proceed with filing their Answer, including the counterclaims,​ irrespective of Abrams'​ and Lin's May 20 announcement in support of the film:

A prepared statement on behalf of Axanar Productions stated the defendants had to proceed with filing their Answer, including the counterclaims,​ irrespective of Abrams'​ and Lin's May 20 announcement in support of the film: